• Loading stock data...
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

ESPN Takes on Network Rivals With Added Sports Streaming in Spanish

  • ESPN+ will add a Spanish-language broadcast option for up to 70 additional live sporting events streamed each month on its service.
  • The OTT platform continues to focus on boxing and soccer to appeal to its growing Hispanic user base.
Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN has raised the amount of live Spanish-language programming available on its over-the-top streaming service, in an effort to both grow total subscribers and cater to existing bilingual customers.

ESPN+ will now air up to 70 additional games each month in Spanish across multiple sports, including UFC and MLB, it said. But the biggest draws for fans are expected to be boxing and soccer – the most popular sport on the streaming service within the Hispanic community. 

The move also suggests the Disney-owned media giant is attempting to pull additional market share away from market rivals Telemundo and Univision. 

ESPN has so far secured the rights to Top Rank Boxing back in 2018 and struck deals with top European soccer leagues – including Serie A, the Bundesliga, and the Eredivisie – in order to add more content for fans on its OTT platform.

Data captured through The ESPN Sports Poll also found that 66% of Hispanics living in the U.S. are soccer fans, with 58% of those polled preferring to watch the game in Spanish. Those numbers are about on par with boxing, according to the company. 

“We’ve seen steady subscriber growth overall on ESPN+ and have seen the Hispanic fan base grow as well,” Russell Wolff, executive vice president and general manager of ESPN+, said. “Digital usage is up as well across the board, including on ESPN Deportes.” 

ESPN Deportes is both a linear television network and news site operated by ESPN.

ESPN+ will bank on higher subscriber growth and interest from advertisers to offset any costs in bringing more Spanish language programming to market, the company said.

ESPN was able to limit expenses with the new venture since it acquired Spanish distribution rights to some of the content on its OTT platform. Play-by-play and video feeds offered to fans will additionally be provided by ESPN and third-party host broadcast services.

“More content should equal more usage, which should also lead to more attention from advertisers,” Wolff said. “With Spanish-language broadcasts, we have more opportunities to offer partners the chance to speak directly to Spanish language subscribers, which is a desirable audience that is hard to reach.”

READ MORE: ESPN Being More ‘Strategic’ With New Podcasts

ESPN would not directly comment on market rivals Telemundo and Univision. Neither company currently boasts an OTT service, instead offering live programming online only to existing cable subscribers.

ESPN+ currently touts 3.5 million subscribers as of November 2019, and its parent company is expected to provide updated figures on its February 4 earnings call. ESPN also has a dedicated ad sales team for brands interested in its list of Spanish-only products, Wolff said. 

Telemundo did not immediately return requests for comment. 

Univision currently delivers 51% of all soccer viewership in the U.S., the company said in an email. The network also claims to be the most-watched Spanish-language sports network in the country, with more than the combined average audience of Fox Deportes, ESPN Deportes, and beIN SPORTS En Español.

“While this doesn’t impact our strategy, it’s a signal to us that other media companies have finally recognized the importance of reaching Hispanics – an important and growing consumer base,” Univision said in an email. “Hispanics are passionate about live sports content, most notably soccer, which is why Univision launched sports cable network TUDN in 2012. At that time, Univision placed a big bet on soccer, and it has paid off.”

Univision rebranded the Univision Deportes Network into TUDN in the summer of 2019.

The increased competition among networks bodes well for advertisers in the long term, according to Ava Seave, principal of Quantum Media, a New York City-based consulting firm focused on marketing and strategic planning for media and entertainment companies. More content offerings and services will likely drag down prices for brands.

“The reason you do more Spanish language programming if you are ESPN [on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes] is you want more advertising from brands interested in viewers watching Spanish language content,” she said, “It’s also a really cheap way for them to make Spanish language viewers happy.”

READ MORE: Tokyo Olympics Kicking Off NBC’s Peacock Streaming Service Sports Strategy

However, the networks face a risk of driving up licensing costs themselves due to individual interest in the same sports.

“The possibility exists that intellectual properties [leagues] can sell English and Spanish language rights separately to get more money,” Seave said. “A Telemundo or Univision may also pay for Spanish distribution rights just to freeze ESPN out.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.

FanDuel, Jaguars Reach $5M Deal Over Employee Theft

A Jaguars employee stole $20 million and gambled much of it with FanDuel.

NFL, Yankees, Cubs Hold Moments of Silence for Charlie Kirk

The Green Bay moment was an NFL decision, a spokesperson told FOS.
Michelle Wu

Josh Kraft, Son of Patriots Owner, Leaves Boston Mayor Race After First-Round..

He challenged Mayor Wu over her support for White Stadium’s costly renovations.

Featured Today

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) pursues Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.

College Football Enters Week 3 Up 21% in TV Ratings

Total college football viewership across all networks is up big.
September 5, 2025

NFL’s Expected Early-Season Ratings Boost Gets Off to a Stormy Start

The kickoff game somewhat resembles the delays last year in an SNF game.
Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports camera station before the game between the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.
September 11, 2025

Lachlan Murdoch on Fox’s Sports Strategy, FanDuel Plans

The executive calls a forthcoming streaming bundle with ESPN “essential” for fans.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 4, 2025

TNT Sports to Try Its Own Streaming App After WBD Split

TNT Sports will have its own app as a corporate split approaches.
Eagles
September 4, 2025

The Death of Streameast Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Mirror sites began popping up Thursday, the day the NFL season begins.
September 4, 2025

3 ABC Games Top 10M Viewers Each in ESPN’s Record CFB Weekend

Miami–Notre Dame led the way with 10.8 million viewers.
September 4, 2025

Bill Belichick’s UNC Debut Draws More Than 6M Viewers on ESPN

TCU-UNC was the fifth-most-watched college football game of Week 1.